Wholesale Spirulina

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information on spirulina

description
Spirulina is an aquatic micro-organism often referred to as an algae, though botanically it more closely resembles bacteria. At one time the maxima and plaetensis species were classified in the genus Spirulina. It is now agreed that the species are in fact in the genus Arthrospira; nevertheless the older term Spirulina persists and is presumably in use due to historical precedent, sometimes causing confusion.

Arthrospira is a genus (Family Phormidiaceae) of free-floating filamentous cyanobacteria characterized by cylindrical, multicellular trichomes in an open left-hand helix.

common names & nomenclature
The name spirulina comes from modern Latin, spirula meaning "small spiral (shell)".

Also known as:
spirulina, arthrospira platensis, arthrospira maxima, blue-green algae (although not technically an algae)

02.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting spirulina

climate
Arthrospira platensis is naturally occuring in tropical and subtropical lakes with high pH and high concentrations of carbonate and bicarbonate.

growing
Most cultivated spirulina is produced in open channel raceway ponds; paddle-wheels are used to agitate the water.

harvesting
Monitoring the temperature, pH and concentration of algae is paramount. Once the concentration increases to about 0.5g/L the algae must be harvested. Harvesting can be done by using a cloth and simply filtering the solution thereby obtaining a “biomass” of about 10% dry matter per liter. The biomass harvested is then pressed in a cloth in order to produce a kind of cake.

preserving
Even though spirulina is most nutritious in its wet form, its swift spoilage makes dried algae more practical. spirulina lasts for a few days at most if refrigerated, and only for a few hours at room temperature. Hence if it In order for to be transported or stored it must be dried. Once dried and well packaged it can be stored for at least a year without losing nutritional value. Store dried spirulina powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

03.
The Rest of the Story

additional information

04.
Where in the World

habitat and range for spirulina

Arthrospira platensis occurs in Africa, Asia and South America, but cultivated in many areas. The largest commercial producers of spirulina are located in the United States, Thailand, India, Taiwan, China, Pakistan, Burma (a.k.a. Myanmar), Greece and Chile.